I'm planning on getting a Browning Cynergy for upland next season and can't decide if I should get it in 12ga or 20ga with 26" barrel. Will be mostly used for grouse but would use it also for the odd pheasant hunt. Note I duck hunt also and already have a 12ga semi.
Cynergy 12ga or 20ga
- Thread starter gastch
- Start date
Not sure you can wrong with either. The 12 gauge gives you a bit more versatility with loads from super light to very heavy but there is something classic about a 20 gauge upland gun. Either would serve you well I'm sure. Is there a physical size difference between the two? If so, choose the one that fits you best.
I was in the same boat. I decided to go 12 because of the wide range of available loads.
I had been using a 20 pump and sometimes the 20 was falling short.
I was weary of the Citori guns because of the weight, 8lbs plus gets very very heavy at the end of the day.
I don't know what a Cynergy weighs.
The Baretta didn't fit so I bought a Franchi O/U
I wasn't planning to purchase just yet but I walked into the Baron store and found myself in the middle of a 20% off sale that goes to Dec 24. The numbers worked out.
I had been using a 20 pump and sometimes the 20 was falling short.
I was weary of the Citori guns because of the weight, 8lbs plus gets very very heavy at the end of the day.
I don't know what a Cynergy weighs.
The Baretta didn't fit so I bought a Franchi O/U
I wasn't planning to purchase just yet but I walked into the Baron store and found myself in the middle of a 20% off sale that goes to Dec 24. The numbers worked out.
Upland guns should be light, first off. You do more carrying than shooting, remember. If a 20 ga gun weighs over 7 pounds, that'll be no fun. Unless your other gun is 9 pounds.
I see that the Field version in 20 ga. weights 6 lbs, 2 oz. That would be sweet.
Secondly, 20 ga. is PLENTY for grouse and even pheasant.
I see that the Field version in 20 ga. weights 6 lbs, 2 oz. That would be sweet.
Secondly, 20 ga. is PLENTY for grouse and even pheasant.
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Do you like your Franchi? I was looking at them online and they look really good plus they're abit cheaper than the Cynergy.
The Franchi is lovely. Its just 6.2lbs, a real featherweight for a 12 and the recoil isn bad.
I looked at a bunch, Browning, Baretta, Winchester, some Brazilian makes and the Russian.
Browning was nice but very heavy and the lighter guns are more expensive. The Baretta is a beauty but the stock was too long.
It came down to, as it should, to the fit. Overall the Franchi fit better and still filled the other criteria I had. No regrets.
The only wrinkle, if anything were to go wrong the warranty is done by Stoeger which might as well be no warranty at all since these people have no concept of customer service.
Some people say that Stoeger customer service is surprisingly good. I don't actually have any experience with it, but that is the opinion of some.
I wonder if a 20 gauge Browning Cynergy Feather would be the gun for you. With the 26" barrel it weighs 4 lbs 14 oz, and it has a 3" chamber.
I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't want to shoot a thousand rounds out of it in a day, but for upland hunting I think it would be an option worth looking at.
Gastch
What do you think about your Stoeger 2000?? I'm thinking about picking one up soon.
personally I don't like the look of the cynergy shotguns. looks like browning tried to take a sport steeped in class and tradition and make it "nascar".
theat being said, to a practiced hand, the 20ga doesn't give much up on upland game.
theat being said, to a practiced hand, the 20ga doesn't give much up on upland game.
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
if you go 20ga, make sure it has a 3in chamber for pheasant
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Have you considered any particular Cynergy model? If it is purely for the purpose of Upland then a 20ga will do fine. The shotgun has to fit obviously.
You may observe that the 20ga Feather models are a little too light at around 5lbs. IMHO, the 20ga Classic Field at 6+lbs would be more appropriate in view of the 3inch chambered guns although 2 3/4in shells would be mostly adequate for Upland if shots are kept within reasonable boundaries.
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Mike Oxbig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Scarborough Ontario
I like to use the 20 gauge with lighter loads.
It's much less lead to eat at dinner!
I scored a S&W 20g semi off another CGNer as i decided to try my pooch at upland.
Went only once but it is still one of my favorite shotguns!
It's much less lead to eat at dinner!
I scored a S&W 20g semi off another CGNer as i decided to try my pooch at upland.
Went only once but it is still one of my favorite shotguns!
